WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – The new year brings with it plenty of resolutions and for those in law enforcement, they’re hoping that ice fishermen stay resolute with keeping an eye on ice conditions.
After a pair of stranded fishermen had to be rescued over the weekend the message is once again being sent out by officials to be careful if venturing onto the ice.
One major concern is that the thickness or overall safety of an area of ice can’t be perfectly determined by just looking it over.
“You may think that you’re on safe ice and then a few feet away there could be some sort of river channel and it’s only a half inch,” explains Lieutenant Steve Brewer with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department. “That’s when you could get yourself into a lot of trouble.”
The two stranded fishermen on Sunday morning were both from Illinois and officials add that ice fishing in an unfamiliar area brings with it a series of new dangers.
To help get some insight into the conditions of the ice locally, it’s always a good idea to talk with an expert from the area.
“[The] best thing is to check with your fishing clubs in the area,” says Lieutenant Brewer. “They generally have the best information on the conditions of the ice.”
Even an experienced fisherman would be best served to first gain some information about the lake that they are planning on stepping onto. Once again, individuals associated with local fishing clubs will typically be happy to provide this potentially life-saving information.
“They’re generally more of the expert on the conditions of the lake than we are,” explains Lieutenant Brewer.
Thankfully the stranded fishermen on Sunday were able to call for help and a boat located them on a chunk of ice about 300 yards from Volk’s Landing in the Town of Scott.
Having the means to call for help is just one facet of ice safety that could mean the difference between life or death.
“The buddy system is good, let people know where you’re going to go,” he says. “Carry a cell phone with you.”
Beyond that, it’s a good idea to pack some sort of noise making equipment with, such as a whistle.
Also, floatation devices are a good idea to bring with on the ice.
And even when following all the prescribed safety measures, there always will be a sense of risk associated with stepping onto the ice.
“We always say that no ice is one-hundred-percent safe,” says Lieutenant Brewer.
